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Follow these Tips for Determining the Extent of Your Injuries and Protecting Your Legal Rights

When we speak with car accident victims, one of the first things they often ask is how much they can expect to recover for their injuries. While we cannot answer this question without learning the details of your specific case (nor can any other lawyer), there are other questions that we can answer that are critical to ensuring that you preserve your right to maximum compensation.

1. What is my auto accident case worth?

Determining how much you can expect to recover requires a thorough investigation and a critical assessment of a number of key issues. This includes things like:

The permanency of your injuries and whether they will result in disfigurement, scarring, impairment, or disability

Other factors come into play as well. Everything from the presence of witnesses at the scene of the accident to your lawyer’s reputation for taking cases to trial can impact your financial recovery.

2. What mistakes do I need to avoid?

Having handled hundreds of cases, we have seen several unfortunate examples of car accident victims making mistakes that impacted their chances of obtaining a full financial recovery. While some of these mistakes can be overcome with skilled legal representation, it is better to avoid them altogether. These are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

Not seeking medical attention immediately after an accident

Failing to follow your doctor’s medical advice

Talking to your doctor about your legal claim

Forgetting to tell your doctor about past injuries

Forgetting to tell your lawyer about past claims

Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company

Settling too early

Waiting too long to hire an attorney

3. What if I have already talked to someone at the insurance company?

Insurance companies push their adjusters to obtain recorded statements, and adjusters will often use seemingly innocent conversation and loaded questions to try to get victims to say things that can be used against the accident victim later. Even saying things like you feel “alright” or “okay” can be used to try to say you were not really hurt. If you already gave a statement, avoid saying anything more and consider hiring an attorney to protect your claim.

Download The Maine Car Accident Book

For more information about the factors that will impact your car accident claim and mistakes you should avoid, we invite you to download The Maine Car Accident Book. This is a valuable resource that our attorneys have written in order to provide accident victims with the key information they need after suffering injuries in a collision.

More Answers to Car Accident FAQs

Contact Fales & Fales, P.A. about Your Maine Car Accident Claim

At Fales & Fales, P.A., we have over six decades of combined experience representing car accident victims in Maine. To receive a thorough case assessment and legal advice about your personal situation, we invite you to contact our Lewiston, ME law offices for a free consultation.

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About Us

A Monmouth man received a $1 million settlement for a low back disk herniation suffered when his vehicle was rear ended by another driver. The injury required fusion surgery.

$2 Million Wrongful Death Settlement

Before the start of trial, a settlement was reached for the estate of a local man who died after a collision with a driver who failed to see a stop sign.

$250,000 Verdict for Motorcycle Accident

An Androscoggin County jury awarded $250,000 to a Mechanic Falls man who suffered severe leg injuries in an accident caused by a driver who failed to stop for a red light.

$236,000 Slip and Fall Settlement

A tenant who slipped and fell in an icy parking lot at an apartment complex settled his claim against an Auburn landlord for $236,000. The tenant aggravated a pre-existing back condition in the fall and ultimately required surgery.

$350,000 Settlement for Prescription Error

A Greene man received a settlement $350,000 from a drugstore for injuries caused by a pharmacist’s error in filling a prescription. The man developed side effects from taking the wrong drug.

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The Maine Car Accident Book Before you hire a lawyer or speak to the insurance company, know what every car accident victim should know. DOWNLOAD OUR FREE E-BOOK